United Flight Credit: A Complete Guide to Using Your Travel Credits

If you have United flight credit, you can use it toward eligible future travel. However, the process depends on the type of credit you have. United offers Future Flight Credits, Travel Certificates, and TravelBank, each with different rules for redemption, expiration, and eligibility.

Before booking, check your credit type, balance, expiration date, and eligible traveler. This guide explains how to check, use, combine, and redeem United flight credit and what to do if your credit doesn't cover the full fare.

What Are United Travel Credits?

United travel credits are balances or certificates that can be used toward eligible future travel and certain purchases with United Airlines. The main types are Future Flight Credits and Travel Certificates, each with different rules for use and expiration.

Types of United Travel Credits

1. Future Flight Credit (FFC)

• Usually issued after canceling an eligible trip or changing to a lower-priced flight.
• Can generally be used for eligible United, United Express, and qualifying partner flights booked through United.
• May also cover certain extras, such as Economy Plus®, when eligible.
• Restrictions may apply to who can use the credit and how it can be redeemed.

2. Travel Certificate

• Sometimes known as electronic travel certificates (ETC).
• Commonly issued as compensation, goodwill, or after voluntarily giving up a seat on an eligible flight.
• Can generally be used toward eligible United flights and certain qualifying purchases.
• Has its own terms, restrictions, and expiration date.

TravelBank

• A separate balance held in your United TravelBank account by MileagePlus.
• Can be used toward eligible United purchases.
• Follows different rules from FFC and ETC.

United Travel Credits at a Glance

Credit Type	Commonly Issued For	Main Use
Future Flight Credit	Eligible cancellation or flight change	Future eligible travel and some extras
Travel Certificate	Compensation or goodwill	Eligible United travel and qualifying purchases

Tip: Before booking, check the credit type, balance, expiration date, and usage restrictions. These details determine how and when you can use your United credit.

Important:
United travel-credit rules can change. Always verify the terms, balance, and expiration date shown for your specific credit before booking.

How to Check Your United Flight Credit

Check your credit through your MileagePlus account or United's travel-credit lookup. Depending on the credit type, you may need your:

• Confirmation number
• Last name
• Travel Certificate PIN
• Email address
• MileagePlus account details

Before booking, confirm your balance, expiration date, eligible traveler, and booking/payment rules.

How to Use United Travel Credit

Using United travel credit is straightforward, but the steps vary by credit type. Here are the steps to follow -

1. Sign in to United: Open the United website or app and check your available credits in your MileagePlus account.
2. Search for a flight: Choose an eligible flight and select your preferred itinerary.
3. Go to checkout: Continue to the payment page and look for the available travel credit option.
4. Apply your credit: Select the eligible credit and choose how much you want to use, where applicable.
5. Pay the remaining amount: If the credit doesn't cover the full fare, pay the balance using an accepted payment method.

Can't find your credit?

You may be able to locate it using details such as your confirmation number, PIN, last name, or email address, depending on the credit type.

Using TravelBank?

Log in, book an eligible United or United Express flight, select TravelBank at checkout, and apply some or all of your available balance.

Tip: Check the credit's balance, expiration date, and eligibility before booking to make sure it can be applied to your selected itinerary.

United Future Flight Credit: Rules and Restrictions

To use a United Future Flight Credit, select an eligible itinerary and apply the credit during checkout.

• Traveler restrictions: FFC are generally tied to the traveler for whom they were issued and are not normally transferable.
• Older credits: Some credits issued for tickets purchased on or before August 31, 2021 may have different transfer rules.
• Travel-by date: Check the specific “Travel by” date on your credit. In general, the required travel must begin by the stated deadline.
• Check the exact terms: Don't assume that booking before the expiration date is enough. For example, if your credit says “Travel by June 30”, booking on June 30 for travel several months later may not qualify.

Always follow the expiration, eligibility, and travel-by terms shown with your specific credit.

How Long Does United Flight Credit Last?

The expiration date depends on the type of credit and the terms attached to it.

• Future Flight Credit: Usually has a “travel by” date, meaning your trip must begin by the stated deadline.
• Travel Certificate: Generally has a “book by” date, meaning you must make your booking before the stated deadline.
• Return trips: If you use a credit for a round trip, additional rules may apply depending on the ticket and credit type.

Best practice: Always use the date shown on your specific credit as the deadline.

What Can I Use United Travel Credits For?

• Use eligible travel credits to book flights on United, United Express, and qualifying partner-operated flights through United’s website or app.
• Some credits can also be used for Economy Plus® seating, Basic Economy seat assignments, and preferred seating.
• To use PlusPoints, first book your ticket with the travel credit, then request a PlusPoints upgrade.

Can You Use United Flight Credit for Someone Else?

It depends on the type of credit:

• Future Flight Credit: Usually non-transferable and must be used by the original traveler. However, credits from tickets purchased on or before August 31, 2021, can be used to book travel for anyone, including friends or family.
• Travel Certificate: Anyone can use these credits. 

Tip: Check the specific credit's terms before booking, especially if you're using it for someone else.

How Do I Find My United Travel Credit Number or PIN?

It depends on the type of credit you have:

• Future Flight Credit: Use the confirmation number from the original ticket. You can find it in your ticket receipt in your MileagePlus account.
• Travel Certificate: Use the PIN sent to you by email when the certificate was issued.
• Can’t find your PIN or confirmation number? You may be able to look up your credit using your email address through United’s travel credit search.

Can You Combine United Travel Credits?

Yes, you can use multiple travel credits of the same type in a single purchase, subject to the applicable rules.

• Future Flight Credits: You can use more than one FFC on a reservation.
• Travel Certificates: Multiple Travel Certificates may be used together.
• Future Flight Credits and Travel Certificates: These cannot be combined with each other.
• Different credit types: Credits of different types cannot be combined in the same purchase.

Tip: Check the available payment options at checkout to confirm which credits can be applied to your booking.

What If Your United Credit Is Not Enough?

If your United travel credit doesn’t cover the full fare, you may be able to pay the remaining balance separately.

• Check the available payment options for your credit type.
• Some fees or extras may require separate payment.
• Always review the final amount and payment options at checkout.

Tip: The payment options shown for your specific booking take priority.

United Travel Certificate: Key Terms

If you have a United Travel Certificate, keep these important rules in mind:

• Where you can use it: It can be used for eligible flights operated by United, United Express, and qualifying partner airlines sold through United's digital channels.
• Expiration: Most Travel Certificates expire 12 months after the issue date. Always check the expiration date on your certificate.
• No cash value: A Travel Certificate cannot be exchanged for cash.
• Unused value: If the certificate is worth more than the ticket price, the remaining value stays associated with the same PIN and can generally be used for another eligible ticket before it expires.
• Using it for someone else: The certificate is not transferable or sellable, but the original recipient can use it to arrange travel for another person.
• Additional payments: Certain fees and ancillary purchases must be paid separately with an accepted credit or debit card.
• Identification: United may require identification when the certificate is used.

Important: Travel Certificate rules are different from those for FFC. Check the terms of your specific credit before booking.

Make the Most of Your United Travel Credit

Your United travel credit can help lower the cost of a future trip, but the rules vary by credit type. Before booking, check the credit type, balance, expiration date, traveler eligibility, and payment rules. Then compare eligible flights and choose the option that best fits your plans and budget.

FAQs

How do I use United flight credit?

Search for an eligible flight on United's website or app and select Travel credits at checkout. Choose the eligible credit you want to use and pay any remaining amount with an available payment method.

Does United flight credit expire?

Yes. The expiration rules depend on the credit type. FFC generally have a “Travel by” date, while Travel Certificates generally have a “book by” date. TravelBank has separate expiration rules.

Can I use United Future Flight Credit for someone else?

Usually not. Future Flight Credit is generally tied to the traveler for whom it was issued. However, certain older credits issued for tickets purchased on or before August 31, 2021, may be used to book travel for another person.

How do I check my United flight credit?

Sign in to your MileagePlus account to view eligible credits, or use United's travel-credit lookup. Depending on the credit type, you may need your confirmation number, PIN, last name, or email address.

Can I use a United Travel Certificate for someone else?

Yes. A Travel Certificate cannot be transferred or sold, but the original recipient can use it to arrange travel for another person.

What happens if my United travel credit is not enough to pay for my flight?

If the credit does not cover the full booking cost, United may allow you to pay the remaining amount with another accepted payment method. The available options depend on the credit type and booking.

Can I use multiple United travel credits?

Yes. You can generally use multiple credits of the same type on one reservation. FFC and Travel Certificates cannot be combined with each other.